The chiefs and people of Nkaseim in the Asutifi South District of the Ahafo Region have issued a strong caution to road contractor Kofi Job Gyebi, popularly known as Kofi Job, to stay away from their soon-to-be-launched cooperative mining concession.
According to the community, the concession was released solely for the benefit of Nkaseim residents and any attempt by individuals or groups to interfere with or trespass on the land would be fiercely resisted.
The residents alleged that some influential persons and local leaders are attempting to sell portions of the concession to private interests, a move they say threatens the purpose for which the land was secured.
They also cautioned political actors from both sides of the political divide against any attempt to hijack the project for partisan or personal gain.
“We want this project to benefit the entire community, not individuals or political parties,” they stressed.
The warning follows what the community described as attempts by Kofi Job Gyebi to gain access to the concession through some individuals.
Residents have therefore appealed to the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, to investigate the alleged attempts to commercialise the concession.
“Some of our leaders intend to sell the concession to private individuals, which will deprive the youth of their future.
We have also become aware of alleged attempts by Kofi Job Gyebi to interfere with the concession.
We appeal to the Minister to intervene, just as he did when this matter involved Newmont,” a resident said.
The appeal comes after officials of the Minerals Commission and the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) completed the registration of mining cooperatives in Nkaseim following directives from the Lands Minister.
The concession was released to the community by Newmont Gold Limited through the Minerals Commission to pave the way for responsible cooperative mining.
The initiative is expected to create jobs for hundreds of young people, improve livelihoods and reduce illegal mining activities in the area.
For almost 20 years, many residents mined portions of Newmont’s concession without formal authorisation.
Following the change in government, the chiefs renewed their appeal through rCOMSDEP, leading to the intervention of the Lands Minister and the eventual release of the concession for community mining.
Earlier, the chiefs and residents thanked President John Dramani Mahama and Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah for what they described as a major breakthrough after years of unsuccessful efforts.
“I thank His Excellency the President because when we petitioned him, he did not ignore us.
We hope the government will ensure that our youth can mine peacefully and earn a decent living,” Nana Ababio II said.
The Sompahene of Nkaseim, Nana Yaw Sarpong, recalled that the community’s struggle began in 2007.
“We made every effort to obtain a mining licence but failed.
Whenever officials arrived, our people had to run into the bush because we were considered trespassers,” he said.
He said successive governments failed to resolve the matter until the current administration intervened.
“When President Mahama assumed office, he and Minister Armah-Kofi Buah responded to our concerns within three months.
Today, officials from Accra have come to verify our claims, and we believe this process will lead to a permanent solution,” he added.
The chiefs reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the concession and warned that they would resist any attempt by private individuals or politically connected persons to divert the land from its intended purpose of providing sustainable livelihoods for the people of Nkaseim.
